Jason Munz/Hattiesburg American
Devin Thomas wanted to wear No. 6.
That’s the jersey number he sported at Greater Atlanta Christian High, where he was a standout linebacker who collected 103 tackles, two sacks and a pair of interceptions as a senior in 2016.
But that particular number was already spoken for when Thomas arrived as a walk-on this summer at Southern Miss. So head coach Jay Hopson and equipment manager Patrick Stewart collaborated to come up with the next best thing: No. 97.
“They just handed it to me,” Thomas said.